Tempe Council OKs Controversial High Rise

The Tempe City Council unanimously gave the green-light to a controversial high-rise apartment complex after developers cut down its originally proposed density and height (AZBEX, May 13).

The planned Crescent Rio complex will be located on 3.2 acres of land on First Street, just east of Hardy Drive, that is owned by Tempe-based Spagnuolo Investments and currently houses office and industrial buildings.

Although the project was first brought before council last November (AZBEX, Dec. 15, 2015), developers withdrew their request three months later after neighbors protested its proposed 90-foot height and 356 planned units.

“This plan did come before the council about a year ago and it was not favored at the time because it exceeded the density and height limitations,” zoning attorney Stephen C. Earl told council members.

The revised plan reduced the total number of units to 147 and cut the height to 62 feet at its peak, with 75 percent of the complex reaching a maximum height of 49 feet.

Moreover, the new design eliminates underground parking and instead provides ground-level parking wrapped around the building’s south side. This allows for more on-site parking and reduces the impact on neighboring streets, Earl said.

The Crescent Rio Apartments will include amenities such as pools, clubhouses, electric car-charging stations in garage, a secure dog park and dog-washing area, fitness rooms and yoga retreats.